Target stand and steel target

ABSTRACT

A target stand includes an upright assembly having a lower end and an upper end. A target adapter socket includes a support element removably coupled to the upper end of the upright assembly and fixedly coupled to a socket member. The socket member has an upwardly directed socket. A steel target has a planar target surface, a lower end, and a tab portion extending from the lower end. The steel target has no extraneous elements which would affect a bullet strike or compromise the strength and hardness of the steel. The tab portion of the steel target is removably received by the upwardly directed socket of the target adapter socket.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to shooting accessories.

More particularly, the present invention relates to target stands and steel targets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In target shooting, paper targets have been used for a very long time. Paper targets are relatively cheap, indicate shot placement by holes punched therethrough, and do not deflect the bullets shot at them. However, steel targets are becoming increasingly popular. Both type targets give an aiming point and indicate the positioning of the shots. Steel targets have gained popularity because they can be re-used, record shot placement by bullet splashes, and most importantly, give an instantaneous audible feedback when the bullet impacts the steel. This instant feedback makes shooting steel targets more interactive than paper targets.

A problem with steel targets is that ricochets and bullet splatter can be dangerous. Currently, steel targets often have exposed brackets, screws, bolts, rivet heads, irregular weld joints and the like, that are employed to mount the steel target to a stand or other support structure. These fasteners provide a non-planar surface, which, when struck by a bullet, can deflect the bullet along an unpredictable path. Bullet fragments and ricochets pose a danger to the shooter as well as bystanders. Additionally, improperly angled or non-planar steel targets increase these risks. Furthermore, repeated impact on fasteners can damage those fasteners, greatly reducing the functional life of the steel target.

Some steel targets reduce or illuminate exposed fasteners by welding brackets or the like to the back surface of the steel target. While this can remove fasteners from the bullet pathway, steel targets, in order to remain safe, must be hardened steel which will maintain a planar target surface and not become pitted or deformed. Heating of the steel target during welding can damage the tempering of the steel, resulting in soft spots proximate the welds. Softening of the steel can result in pitting and deformation of the target surface from bullet strikes. The pitting and/or deformation of the target surface can deflect the bullet along an unpredictable path.

Additionally, target stands for steel targets are rigid and cannot be adapted to uneven or irregular supporting surfaces. If used on uneven or irregular surface (generally not possible at all), the stand is not stable or well supported, and the target is not supported in the proper manner. This can cause the angle at which the steel target is presented to the shooter to be improper and to even present a danger from ricochets and the like.

It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved steel target and target stand.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a steel target mounted to a target stand having no exposed fasteners and maintaining a planar target surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, to achieve the desired objects and advantages of the instant invention, provided is a target stand including an upright assembly having a lower end and an upper end. A target adapter socket includes a support element removably coupled to the upper end of the upright assembly and fixedly coupled to a socket member. The socket member has an upwardly directed socket. A steel target has a planar target surface, a lower end, and a tab portion extending from the lower end. The steel target has no extraneous elements which would affect a bullet strike or compromise the strength and hardness of the steel. The tab portion of the steel target is removably received by the upwardly directed socket of the target adapter socket.

The upright assembly can further include a central tubular member, a first tubular member and a second tubular member. The central tubular member has a longitudinal aperture therethrough, the longitudinal aperture removably receiving the support element of the adapter socket at the upper end of the upright assembly. The first tubular member has a longitudinal aperture therethrough and is coupled to a side of the central tubular member. The longitudinal aperture of the first tubular member removably receives a first leg at the lower end of the upright assembly. The second tubular member has a longitudinal aperture therethrough and is coupled to an opposing side of the central tubular member. The longitudinal aperture of the second tubular member removably receives a second leg at the lower end of the upright assembly.

In another aspect, a target stand includes an upright assembly having a lower end and an upper end. The upright assembly further includes a first longitudinal aperture extending therethrough from the upper end, a second longitudinal aperture extending therethrough from the lower end, and a third longitudinal aperture extending therethrough from the lower end. A target adapter socket has a support element removably received in the first longitudinal aperture at the upper end of the upright assembly and is fixedly coupled to a socket member. The socket member has an upwardly directed socket. A steel target has a planar target surface, a lower end, and a tab portion extending from the lower end. The tab portion is removably received in the upwardly directed socket of the target adapter socket. The steel target has no extraneous elements. A first leg is removably received by the second longitudinal aperture at the lower end of the upright assembly. A second leg is removably received by the third longitudinal aperture at the lower end of the upright assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and further and more specific objects and advantages of the instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a target stand and steel target according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a steel target according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the target stand of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the target stand of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the upright assembly of the target stand according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a target adapter socket; and

FIG. 7 is a front view of the adapter socket of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIG. 1 which illustrate a target stand generally designated 10. Target stand 10 includes an upright assembly 12 having a lower end 14 and an upper end 15. Upright assembly 12 is supported above a surface, such as the ground, by adjustable legs 16 and 18 coupled to lower end 14. A target adapter socket 19 is removably coupled to upper end 15 of upright assembly 12. Target adapter socket 19 removably receives a steel target 20 therein.

Referring now to FIG. 2, steel target 20 is a sheet of steel cut out to form a desired silhouette. Steel target 20 includes a planar target surface 22 having no protrusions or interrupting elements of any sort such as fasteners, brackets, welds or the like, and includes a tab portion 24 extending downwardly from a lower end 25, thereof. Steel target 20 can be provided in substantially any shape as desired, round, square, or different profiles and silhouettes, but has no extraneous features such as welds, fasteners or the like or any treatment such as welding that will compromise the steel or alloy steel of the target. Steel target 20 is preferably produced from steel having a hardness sufficient to prevent pitting and deformation from bullet strikes. In the preferred embodiment, high carbon abrasive resistant alloy steel plates are used as target 20. Abrasive resistant (AR) alloy steel generally offers good resistance to impact abrasion. The high carbon content in the alloy increases the hardness and toughness of the steel, making it an ideal material for applications that require high impact or high abrasion resistance. While a high carbon steel can be employed for steel target 20 and the steel will have good resistance to penetration, the wear rate will be rapid compared to heat treated alloy plate because high carbon steel is brittle, so particles can be more easily torn from the surface. As a result, preferably AR500 and AR550 steels in various thicknesses, but preferably ⅜^(th) inch, are employed. The hardness of the steel is measured in Brinell Hardness Number (BHN) and should be at least 500.

Still referring to FIG. 1, with additional reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, target stand 10 can be adjusted to stand level on ground that is itself unleveled, irregular or uneven. By providing individually adjustable legs 16 and 18, target stand 10 can be firmly supported and stable on uneven, sloped or irregular ground, while presenting the target to the shooter at the proper angle. Legs 16 and 18 each include an extension member 30 having an upper end 32 and a lower end 33. Upper end 32 is received by lower end 14 of upright assembly 12, and a foot member 34 is coupled to lower end 33. On a level surface, legs 16 and 18 can extend from upright assembly 12 an equal distance. As can be seen with specific reference to FIG. 3, leg 16 and leg 18 can be independently adjusted by extending or retracting the length of extension members 30 from upright assembly 12 in directions as indicated by arrowed line A. By adjusting the lengths of legs 16 and 18, target stand 10 can be leveled on an unleveled surface.

With reference to FIG. 5, upright assembly 12 includes a central tubular member 40, and tubular members 42 and 44 coupled to opposing sides thereof. Tubular members 42 and 44 are coupled to tubular member 40 in substantially any manner, such as the use of adhesives, brackets, bands screws and the like, but welding is preferred. Tubular member 40, 42, and 44 include longitudinal apertures 45, 46, and 47, respectively, extending from lower end 14 to upper end 15 of upright assembly 12. Upper ends 32 of extension members 30 of legs 16 and 18 are received in apertures 46 and 47 of tubular members 42 and 44, respectively, at lower end 14. Extension members 30 are independently movable between a retracted position, wherein extension members 30 are received fully within tubular members 42 and 44, and an extended position, wherein extension members 30 are fully extended from tubular members 42 and 44. An engagement element in the form of a T-bolt 50 extends through tubular member 44 into aperture 47 proximate lower end 14, and an engagement element in the form of a T-bolt 52 extends through tubular member 42 into aperture 46 proximate lower end 14. T-bolt 50 and T-bolt 52 are movable between an engaged position, securely retaining extension members 30 in place, and a disengaged position allowing movement of extension members 30 between extended and retracted positions.

Still referring to FIG. 5 with reference back to FIG. 1, upright assembly 12 can include a shield 55 (illustrated in broken line) attached to tubular member 44 facing toward a shooter. Shield 55 is formed of a hard material such as steel, and presents a deflecting surface from the flat front surface of tubular member 44. In this manner, any wayward bullets directed at tubular member 44 will be deflected at an angle to the sides of target stand 10, and will not impact a surface square to the shooter which could result in a direct return ricochet. Shield 55 also protects upright assembly 12 from damage by bullet impacts.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a target adapter socket 19 is illustrated. Adapter socket 19 includes a support element 60 having a lower portion 62 removably receivable within aperture 45 of tubular member 40 at upper end 15 of upright assembly 12, and an upper portion 64 fixedly coupled to a socket member 65. Socket member 65 has an upwardly directed socket 67 sized to removably receive tab 24 of steel target 20. In this instance, removably receivable means target 20 can be emplaced on or removed from target stand 10 with tab 22 within socket member 65 using no tools, welds, and the like, with nothing holding target 20 in place except for the weight of the target itself. Target 20 can be further secured, if desired, by using a set screw, wedges or the like. When positioned in socket member 65, steel target 20 is firmly and securely held in position with target surface 22 facing a shooting line with a downward angle as indicated by arrowed line B in FIGS. 1 and 3.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, tubular member 40 includes a longitudinal axis designated C. When lower portion 62 is received within longitudinal aperture 45, upper portion 64 positions socket member 65 at an angle B relative longitudinal axis C. In this manner when target 20 is carried by socket member 65, target 20 is positioned at a downward angle B relative axis C. It has been found that an angle of 20 degrees is preferred to prevent ricochets toward the firing line or a shooter. By employing adapter socket 19, different sized and shaped targets can be carried by target stand 10 simply by replacing adapter socket 19 with an adapter socket of the appropriate size to receive a target. The target received by any adapter socket includes a tab extending downwardly therefrom, for receipt by the adapter socket.

Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof, which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of the following claims. 

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is:
 1. A target stand comprising: an upright assembly having a lower end and an upper end, wherein the upright assembly comprises: a central tubular member having the aperture extending longitudinally therethrough, the longitudinal aperture removably receiving the support element of the adapter socket at the upper end of the upright assembly; a first tubular member having a longitudinal aperture therethrough and coupled to a side of the central tubular member, the longitudinal aperture of the first tubular member removably receiving a first leg at the lower end of the upright assembly; and a second tubular member having a longitudinal aperture therethrough and coupled to an opposing side of the central tubular member, the longitudinal aperture of the second tubular member removably receiving a second leg at the lower end of the upright assembly; a target adapter socket having a support element removably inserted into an aperture formed in the upper end of the upright assembly and fixedly coupled to a socket member, the socket member having an upwardly directed socket; and a steel target having a planar target surface, a lower end, and a tab portion extending from the lower end, the steel target having no extraneous elements; wherein the tab portion of the steel target is removably received by the upwardly directed socket of the target adapter socket.
 2. A target stand as claimed in claim 1 further comprising adjustable legs coupled to the lower end of the upright assembly.
 3. (canceled)
 4. A target stand as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first leg is independently movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and the second leg is independently movable between an extended position and a retracted position.
 5. A target stand as claimed in claim 4 wherein the upright assembly further includes: a first engagement member carried by the first tubular member at the lower end of the upright assembly for movement between an engaged position preventing movement of the first leg, and a disengaged position allowing movement of the first leg between the extended position and the retracted position; and a second engagement member carried by the second tubular member at the lower end of the upright assembly for movement between an engaged position preventing movement of the second leg, and a disengaged position allowing movement of the second leg between the extended position and the retracted position.
 6. A target stand as claimed in claim 1 wherein the adapter socket upright assembly holds the steel target at a downward angle toward a shooter.
 7. A target stand as claimed in claim 1 wherein the central tubular member has a longitudinal axis, and the support element of the target adapter socket holds the socket member at a downward angle to the shooter and an angle relative the longitudinal axis.
 8. A target stand as claimed in claim 7 wherein the angle relative the longitudinal axis is approximately 20 degrees.
 9. A target stand comprising: an upright assembly having a lower end and an upper end, the upright assembly further including a first longitudinal aperture extending therethrough from the upper end, a second longitudinal aperture extending therethrough from the lower end, and a third longitudinal aperture extending therethrough from the lower end; a target adapter socket having a support element removably received in the first longitudinal aperture at the upper end of the upright assembly and fixedly coupled to a socket member, the socket member having an upwardly directed socket; a steel target having a planar target surface, a lower end, and a tab portion extending from the lower end removably received in the upwardly directed socket of the target adapter socket, the steel target having no extraneous elements; a first leg removably received by the second longitudinal aperture at the lower end of the upright assembly; and a second leg removably received by the third longitudinal aperture at the lower end of the upright assembly.
 10. A target stand as claimed in claim 9 wherein the first leg is independently movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and the second leg is independently movable between an extended position and a retracted position.
 11. A target stand as claimed in claim 10 wherein the upright assembly further includes: a first engagement member carried at the lower end of the upright assembly proximate the second longitudinal aperture for movement between an engaged position preventing movement of the first leg, and a disengaged position allowing movement of the first leg between the extended position and the retracted position; and a second engagement member carried at the lower end of the upright assembly proximate the third longitudinal aperture for movement between an engaged position preventing movement of the second leg, and a disengaged position allowing movement of the second leg between the extended position and the retracted position.
 12. A target stand as claimed in claim 9 wherein the adapter socket upright assembly holds the steel target at a downward angle toward a shooter.
 13. A target stand as claimed in claim 9 wherein the upright assembly has a longitudinal axis, and the support element of the target adapter socket holds the socket member at a downward angle to the shooter and an angle relative the longitudinal axis.
 14. A target stand as claimed in claim 13 wherein the angle relative the longitudinal axis is approximately 20 degrees. 